Brief Description: Regarding a waste reduction and recycling awards program in K-12 schools.

Sponsors: Senators Fraser, Morton, Regala and Delvin.

Senate Committee on Water, Energy & Telecommunications
House Select Committee on Environmental Health

Background: Since the early-1990's, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) has offered financial awards to schools that achieve notable waste reduction and recycling successes. The awards program (Terry Husseman Sustainable Public School Awards program) is open to all public schools, grades kindergarten through 12; however, private schools are not eligible to participate. Ecology administers the awards program with support from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Ecology must grant five or more awards to schools, which are grouped by criteria such as school size, distance to recyclable materials market, and other criteria as deemed appropriate by Ecology. The awards are at least $2,000. Awards are meant to support school programs that sustain themselves or continue year after year, and focus on reducing waste, increasing recycling, and reducing threats from toxins.

Summary: Ecology is required to encourage waste reduction and recycling in private schools. Single awards of up to $5,000 may be awarded to participating schools having the best recycling programs and the best waste reduction programs.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      93   0   (House amended)
Senate      48   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective: June 12, 2008